TANZANIA

Country Profile

The United Republic of Tanzania is East Africa's largest country

Country Location: Tanzania is located in Eastern Africa between longitude 290 and 410 East. Latitude 10 and 120 South.

Most Northerly point: Bukoba 10 South Latitude

Most Southerly point: Mtalika 120 South Latitude

Most Westerly point: Kigoma 290 East of Greenwhich

Most easterly point: Mtwara 410 East of Greenwhich

Boundaries:

North: Kenya and Uganda

West: Rwanda, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo

South: Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique

East: Indian Ocean

Population: 31 million people; 51% Female; 46% children under age 15

Capital City: Dar es Salaam, (population of 2.5 million people)

Ethnolinguistic Groupings: 120

Official Languages: Swahili and English

Religions: 45% Christian, 40% Muslim, 15% traditional religions

Poverty: About 50% of the population is living below the poverty line.

Administration: 26 administrative regions (21 mainland and 5 Zanzibar), 130 administrative districts (Zanzibar has 10 and Mainland has 120 administrative districts).

The country's name comes from Lake Tanganyika, which forms its western border. The country has been a member of the Commonwealth since reaching independence (1961). In 1964, Tanganyika united with the island of Zanzibar, forming the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar. The country was later renamed to the United Republic of Tanzania.